Feral Cats

Outdoor CatsEverett Animal Services believes that a healthy cat is an indoor cat. Indoor cats enjoy longer, safer and healthier lives than those that are outside. If you love your cat, keep it indoors. To learn more see The Indoor Pets Initiative.

Within the city, there is no leash law for licensed cats. Because of this and many other factors, you can expect to see cats roaming in your neighborhood. Additionally, there are many free-roaming cats that do not have a home. These are cats that were domestic pets or were born as a feral cat. They become part of the natural ecosystem often keeping our neighborhoods rodent-free.

Free-Roaming CatsIf you are interested in learning more about free-roaming cats and how you can help, see these sites:

Capped jam jars or clear plastic bottles half full of water left at intervals in the flower beds. Cats are scared away by the bottle because light travels through the bottle and the water which is then reflected away like laser beams in different directions giving off little flashes.

Give them their own areas to keep them out of where you don't want them. Plant cat-attracting plants into those areas.